There is a reason why I call this pattern "1Bag", and it would be cool if you would find out more about that (if you don't already know the story). The pattern below is the first one I designed and knit. After I finished this one, I made another one using different stitch patterns.

This is an adaptable pattern, and I encourage people to substitute other stitch patterns to make the bag truly their own. There is a write up you can go through that details the basic design and construction features in order to make it easier to alter it for your own tastes or skill level.

Here is my pattern ...

Materials

Approximately 270 yards any 100% cotton worsted weight yarn.

Size U.S. 10* 16 (or longer) circular knitting needle

Three Size U.S. 8, 9, 10 or 11 dpns

Large Tapestry Needle

2 stitch holders

5 stitch markers

Directions

*Size U.S. 8, 9, 10, of 11 needles may be used for this bag, depending on how stretchy you want it to be, and also depending on your own average tension (for example, if you tend to knit looser, use smaller needles).

With circular needle, cast on 108 stitches.

If you enjoy this pattern, you can have it for free of course. But, if you are willing to add a drop in the bucket (so to speak) it will cover some of the expenses involved in operating the blog and website.

$1, $2, or $5?

Place stitch marker for beginning of round (BOR); join being careful not to twist stitches.

You now have five stitch markers in place, including the marker at BOR.

(If you dont have stitch markers, you can make some by cutting five lengths of yarn (preferably in a different color) and tying them into loops. Slip the markers onto the needles when it is time to place a marker, and each time you reach one of the markers, slip it over to your working needle. I usually use two colors of yarn for my stitch markers--one color for the marker that goes at the BOR, and the other color for the rest of the markers.)

Vertical Lace Trellis (Open Mesh) Pattern Stitch

Rounds 1 & 3: Knit.

Round 2: *yf, k2tog*; repeat from * to * 16 times (32 stitches total)

Round 4: *Ssk, yf*; repeat from * to * 16 times (32 stitches total)

Repeat these four rounds for Vertical Lace Trellis Pattern.

Work Body of Bag

Work Closed Pattern across first 11 stitches; work Vertical Lace Trellis Pattern across next 32 stitches; work Closed Pattern across next 22 stitches; work Vertical Lace Trellis Pattern across next 32 stitches; work Closed Pattern across last 11 stitches.

Continue in this fashion until piece measures 12 from bottom edge to needles.

Set up for Making Handles

I switch to smaller dpns (size U.S. 8) when knitting the handles, just so I will get a tighter knit fabric for the handles--this is optional. If you have size U.S. 11 dpns and want to use them, do so. If you dont, then change to a smaller size dpn (but not smaller than size U.S. 8).

With free dpn, work across 11 left front handle stitches, drop dpn, and using your circular needle, cast off 32 front middles stitches, continuing with circular needle work across 11 right front handle stitches then place them on a stitch holder, work across 11 left back handle stitches then place them on a stitch holder, cast off 32 back middle stitches, with another free dpn, work across 11 right back handle stitches; drop circular needle. Do not cut yarn.

(Now you will begin knitting only the 11 right back handle stitches.)

Right Back Handle: Continue working Closed Pattern Stitch across 11 Right Back Handle stitches (C on diagram) until it measures 4 from cast-off edge of middle back stitches. Do not cast-off; cut yarn leaving an 8 tail; drop dpn leaving stitches on it.

Left Front Handle: With free dpn and dpn holding A stitches (see diagram), continue working Closed Pattern Stitch across 11 Left Front Handle stitches until it measures 4 from cast-off edge of middle back stitches.

With a free dpn, holding C dpn and A dpn together, one behind the other, cast off along both front and back handle edges simultaneously.

If you have not done this before, you simply slip your working needle into the first stitch on each needle and knit through both stitches at the same time. Do that for the second stitch on each needle as well. Then slip the first stitch over the second, just as you would with any other cast-off.

Cut yarn leaving an 8 tail. Weave ends of yarn securely in place on underside of handle; trim excess.

Repeat this process for B and D stitches, casting off in the same way.

Now you have the top portion of the bag complete, with two handles. It probably looks a little silly right now, as if it were a vest.

Bottom of Bag

With right side facing, using circular needle, pick up and knit 108 stitches along bottom edge of bag.

Knit one more round, placing five stitch markers as you go, as follows:

Beginning of round (BOR on diagram)

Work first 11 stitches, place marker (corner 1 on diagram)

Work next 32 stitches, place marker (corner 2 on diagram)

Work next 22 stitches, place marker (corner 3 on diagram)

Work next 32 stitches, place marker (corner 4 on diagram)

Decrease Rounds

You are going to make decreases at each corner, but you will only be decreasing from the side/handle stitches, not from the middle of the bag stitches. By doing this, your decreases will form a mitered look very similar to the bottom of a plastic shopping bag.

At corners 1 and 3 you will use a ssk for the decrease, while at corners 2 and 4 you will use a k2tog to decrease. This is important so that the slant of the decreases goes toward the center.

(Please refer to diagram to see where each numbered corner is located.)

One complete decrease round has been made. Please Note: If you moved the stitch markers correctly, you will still have 32 stitches on the needle between Corners 1 and 2 and between Corners 3 and 4.

Continue working Decrease Round until there are no remaining stitches between Corners 4 and 1 and between Corners 2 and 3. All that will remain at this point are 64 stitches -- 32 front middle stitches, and 32 back middle stitches.

Divide remaining stitches equally on two dpns (use straight needles if you have some on hand). If you are using dpns, you might need to slip the first 15 stitches or so on each side (front and back) just so you dont have too many stitches to handle comfortably.

Cast off front and back stitches simultaneously, just as you did with the handle cast-off, until all stitches have been cast off.

Cut yarn, leaving an 8 tail.

Thread yarn into tapestry needle, and use needle to poke yarn through to inside of bag.

Weave yarn tail into stitches on inside of bag, secure end of yarn; trim excess.

Do this with any other loose yarn tails.

Thats it, your 1Bag is done.

I hope you will make more than one 1Bag, but even if all you make (and use of course) is the one, you will be making a difference which Mother Earth will appreciate.